About the research group
The research group SPARK studies processes related to professional development, sustainable working life, and competence and development in nursing for safe care. The focus is on the healthcare system in its dual role as both care provider and employer.
Despite the aim of Sweden’s Health and Medical Services Act to ensure care on equal terms, contemporary healthcare is characterised by increasing care needs, limited resources and an increasingly complex care environment. This research group studies the growing gap between these legislated goals and the actual conditions of healthcare practice. Particular attention is given to how resources, working conditions, workforce planning and organisational frameworks affect both nursing students and practising nurses in their opportunities to develop professional competence and deliver safe, high-quality nursing care.
By examining how sustainable work environments and organisational structures for learning can support professional development, SPARK contributes knowledge that can strengthen healthcare’s capacity to maintain safety and equity even under conditions of substantial pressure.
S – Safe care
P – Professional development
A – A sustainable working life
R – Reflection and learning
K – Knowledge and development in nursing care
Camilla Göras, Phd, Dalarna University
Oili Dahl, Phd. Karolinska Institutet
E-mail: oili.dahl@ki.se
Research projects
Publications
- Källberg, A.-S., Elf, M., Forberg, U., Nelzen Sievertsson, U., Forsman, H., & Svedbo-Engstrom, M. (2025). Implementing Peer Learning in Clinical Nursing Education: Addressing Challenges in High-Pressure Healthcare Systems-An Interview Study. SAGE Open Nursing, 11, Artikel 23779608251399270. https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608251399270
- Källberg, A.-S., Göras, C., Berg, L., & Bjurling-Sjöberg, P. (2025). Anchored in the eye of the storm: a qualitative study of resilient performance during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden in the context of the emergency department. BMJ Open, 15(3), Artikel e094591. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-094591
- Lohela-Karlsson, M., Ersson, A.-S., Hellman, T., Condén Mellgren, E., Bergström, G., Bjurling-Sjöberg, P., Sarkadi Kristiansson, R., & Göras, C. (2025). Effectiveness- and cost effectiveness of a structured method for systematic and integrated occupational safety and health and patient safety management systems (SIOHPS) - a study protocol for a pragmatic stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial. BMC Health Services Research, 25(1), Artikel 1391. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13537-4
- Melander, S., Dahl, O., Falk, A.-C., Lindström, V., Andersson, E., Gustavsson, P., & Rudman, A. (2024). Critical incidents and post-traumatic stress symptoms among experienced registered nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances, 6, Artikel 100194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnsa.2024.100194
- Dillner, P., Eggenschwiler, L. C., Rutjes, A. W. S., Berg, L., Musy, S. N., Simon, M., Moffa, G., Förberg, U., & Unbeck, M. (2023). Incidence and characteristics of adverse events in paediatric inpatient care: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Quality & Safety, 32(3), 133–149. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2022-015298
- Nilsson, L., Lindblad, M., Johansson, N., Säfstrom, L., Schildmeijer, K., Ekstedt, M., & Unbeck, M. (2023). Exploring nursing-sensitive events in home healthcare: A national multicenter cohort study using a trigger tool. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 138, Artikel 104434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2022.104434
- Rudman, A., Arborelius, L., Dahlgren, A., Finnes, A., & Gustavsson, P. (2020). Consequences of early career nurse burnout: A prospective long-term follow-up on cognitive functions, depressive symptoms, and insomnia. EClinicalMedicine, 27, Artikel 100565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100565
Berg, L. M., Ehrenberg, A., Florin, J., Östergren, J., Discacciati, A., & Göransson. K. E. (2019). Associations Between Crowding and Ten-Day-day Mortality Among Patients Allocated Lower Triage Acuity Levels Without Need of Acute Hospital Care on Departure From the Emergency Department. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 74(3): 345–356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2019.04.012 - Göransson, K., Förberg, U., Johansson, E., & Unbeck, M. (2017) Measurement of peripheral venous catheter-related phlebitis: a cross-sectional study. Lancet Haematology, 4(9), Artikel e424-e430. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-3026(17)30122-9
- Rudman, A., & Gustavsson, J. P. (2012). Burnout during nursing education predicts lower occupational preparedness and future clinical performance: A longitudinal study. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 49(8), 988–1001. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2012.03.010